Historians say the average number of people killed per day during WWII was 27,000. Because of this, Allied leaders were desperate to end the war as quickly as possible. American leaders wanted to launch a massive all-out assault, but European leaders wanted to establish a foothold in North Africa. The Allies promised Russian leaders they would attack the Axis powers consisting of Germany, Italy, and Japan and provide relief to the Russians. This led to Operation Torch. Operation Torch was a plan designed to open up another side of Europe and force the Axis to fight on multiple front (“Remembering Operation Torch”). Airplanes were critical to Operation Torch by helping gain control of North Africa, surrounding the Axis powers, and disrupting
…show more content…
The Allies aimed to take pressure off of the Russians, control the Mediterranean, and recruit Vichy French. Taking pressure off the Russians was a huge need because if Russia was to fall to Germany, Germany could focus all their attention on conquering Europe. If Russia were to fall, the Axis would gain valuable territory and would have an abundance of resources. The Mediterranean held crucial Axis shipping routes, and if captured, the Allies could use them for other operations. The Mediterranean would also gain another front on Axis-occupied Europe. Taking control of Axis-occupied North Africa would give the Vichy French soldiers a chance to rejoin the Allies and eventually take back France. Operation Torch proved to be a testing ground for The Allied Air Forces. The 12th Air Force commanded by Lieutenant General Spaatz, was the main Air Force used during Operation Torch. The Air Force during Operation Torch went through many trial and error stages. During the first stages of Capturing North Africa the 12th Air Force was in charge of close air support, air superiority, and strategic bombing. Close air support was used mainly during the Allied beach landings at Oran, …show more content…
The request would have to be approved and aerial support would either have to be sent from a base of diverted from another mission (Starbuck). The most common air support unit during the invasions of Morocco and Algeria was the F4F Wildcat. The Wildcat was used for close air support because of its ability to withstand ground fire. The F4F was a US naval carrier based fighter. The plane was inferior to Axis fighters in terms of speed with a top speed of only 318 mph and maneuverability at higher speeds but what it lacked in performance it made up for in toughness. These are some of the traits that contributed to Allied air superiority (Wordell). Along with the F4F the P-40 Warhawk was a major contributor to air superiority in North Africa. Although mostly outclassed the 12th’s aircraft were significant in gaining air control (“Battle for North Africa”). Along with close air support the Wildcats were used for the destruction of anti-aircraft guns and airfields during the landings. The aircraft was equipped with incendiary bombs for these purposes. The Wildcat acted as a dive bomber to provide increased accuracy for the bombs (Wardell). With the Wildcats destroying anti-aircraft guns and Axis controlled airports the 12th Air Force bomber could
The Allies aimed to take pressure off of the Russians, control the Mediterranean, and recruit Vichy French. Taking pressure off the Russians was a huge need because if Russia was to fall to Germany, Germany could focus all their attention on conquering Europe. If Russia were to fall, the Axis would gain valuable territory and would have an abundance of resources. The Mediterranean held crucial Axis shipping routes, and if captured, the Allies could use them for other operations. The Mediterranean would also gain another front on Axis-occupied Europe. Taking control of Axis-occupied North Africa would give the Vichy French soldiers a chance to rejoin the Allies and eventually take back France. Operation Torch proved to be a testing ground for The Allied Air Forces. The 12th Air Force commanded by Lieutenant General Spaatz, was the main Air Force used during Operation Torch. The Air Force during Operation Torch went through many trial and error stages. During the first stages of Capturing North Africa the 12th Air Force was in charge of close air support, air superiority, and strategic bombing. Close air support was used mainly during the Allied beach landings at Oran, …show more content…
The request would have to be approved and aerial support would either have to be sent from a base of diverted from another mission (Starbuck). The most common air support unit during the invasions of Morocco and Algeria was the F4F Wildcat. The Wildcat was used for close air support because of its ability to withstand ground fire. The F4F was a US naval carrier based fighter. The plane was inferior to Axis fighters in terms of speed with a top speed of only 318 mph and maneuverability at higher speeds but what it lacked in performance it made up for in toughness. These are some of the traits that contributed to Allied air superiority (Wordell). Along with the F4F the P-40 Warhawk was a major contributor to air superiority in North Africa. Although mostly outclassed the 12th’s aircraft were significant in gaining air control (“Battle for North Africa”). Along with close air support the Wildcats were used for the destruction of anti-aircraft guns and airfields during the landings. The aircraft was equipped with incendiary bombs for these purposes. The Wildcat acted as a dive bomber to provide increased accuracy for the bombs (Wardell). With the Wildcats destroying anti-aircraft guns and Axis controlled airports the 12th Air Force bomber could